TARO, COFFEE

GE BAN WOULD HARM RESEARCH IN HAWAI'I

On behalf of the University of Hawai'i, mahalo to Mayor Harry Kim for his leadership in vetoing a measure that bans research on genetic engineering of taro and coffee.

As the primary research organization for the state of Hawai'i, the university opposes legislation that unnecessarily interferes with our research and educational mission. The opposition to this legislation is based on a philosophical opposition to all genetic engineering, yet there is no scientific justification for banning properly conducted genetic engineering research.

UH has a rich tradition of supporting agriculture and farming, and our researchers are sensitive to the spiritual and cultural significance of taro to Native Hawaiians.

We have demonstrated our commitment to the Native Hawaiian community by abandoning patents on disease-resistant, traditionally crossbred, hybrid taro and agreeing to consultations before conducting research on genetic engineering of Hawaiian taro varieties.

Consistent with our 100-year-old tradition, however, the university must strongly defend its ability to meet its obligation in conducting safe, peer-reviewed research to address broader agricultural issues facing our state.

Genetic engineering provides important tools to address current and future challenges to agriculture from disease, pests and drought.

If Bill 361 becomes law, we risk losing millions of investment and research dollars — a policy that is not only counterproductive to Hawai'i's economic growth but which could severely restrict innovation in our state.

I respectfully urge the Hawai'i County Council to honor Mayor Kim's veto of Bill 361.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

MCCAIN LOST ELECTION WITH LACK OF JUDGMENT

Charles Krauthammer's post-mortem on Nov. 7, "McCain ran the race with impossible odds," belies its own conclusion.

Krauthammer's now oft-repeated rationalization for McCain's loss, "It's the economy, stupid," began to be uttered late on Election Day and has been repeated on every Republican front since then.

The remainder of his article then lists the more plausible reasons McCain lost the election: his choice of Sarah Palin, his failure to distinguish himself from George Bush early on in the primary and presidential campaigns and his failure to timely address the financial crisis.

Consider the ridiculousness of Krauthammer's assertion that a white war "hero" running against a black man with a Muslim name and father, in post 9/11 America, as being impossible odds against the white guy.

This election was McCain's to lose, and he lost it with a lack of foresight and judgment worthy of old-school, Rovian-type politics.

Barack Obama beat McCain by refusing to play that game, and by tapping into the ever-changing world of Internet communications, combined with good, old-fashioned grassroots organizing.

McCain and his strategists missed the wave that Obama caught. The impossible odds were against Obama in a nation whose citizens still demonize differences in skin color and religious affiliation.

'AMADEUS'

CHAMINADE MUSICAL IS THEATER AT ITS BEST

Over the years I have enjoyed your theater critic's mainly spot-on reviews of plays performed at University of Hawai'i and Hawai'i Pacific University.

However, I have wondered why Chaminade University has not been included. Case in point is its current production of "Amadeus," adroitly directed by Po'okela winner Gary Morris and featuring two of the best performances seen on local stages this year.

This is theater at its best, and your readers should know about it.

TVU DEBATE

REAL SOLUTIONS NEEDED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

I keep reading that short-term rentals in Lanikai should be banned so they can become "affordable housing" to help the homeless problem.

I don't know who's keeping the list, but when luxury beach-front estates in Lanikai become affordable housing, please put me at the top of the list. I would love to rent one of these places full time as long as the rent is affordable.

Affordable housing and luxury beach estates in Lanikai represent opposite ends of the housing spectrum.

While it's outrageous and shameful that so many people are homeless or living in squalor in this very wealthy nation, these folks are not going to be renting multi-million-dollar homes in Lanikai anytime soon.

So let's focus on practical solutions, such as converting unused military housing or increasing programs that help people get back on their feet.

ALOHA SPIRIT

MUST CREATE POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS

I am saddened and embarrassed by the growing number of letters you've received about the apparent lack of aloha at Honolulu International Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines, for one, claims to provide an experience of aloha en route to Honolulu. It must be jarring, disappointing and downright baffling for arriving passengers when their understandable anticipation of aloha is dashed by our callous lack of regard.

Surely we can do a better job of creating a seamless and consistent positive experience for our (now we know) precious visitors.

If lack of training is to blame, something can and should be done about that.